How much are you willing to pay for turkey loads?
It seems most of us are shooting birds 40yds. or less so why do we use loads that cost 4$ to 5$
a shot?
Is this really neccessary when a 23/4" magnum at these ranges would do the job?

Shells I shoot are 9 bucks a box of 10 I've thought about nitros but I'm sticking with fiocchi for now. . I don't see the point of spending 4 or 5 bucks a pop on shells like hevi 13 or winchester xtended when they don't pattern much better than much cheaper lead shells. Not much of a difference to pay 4 times much. If I was to pay more than lead I'd jump right on the train.

I've been shooting Win HV #4 shot in both my guns for 5 years.Both guns will consitantly put between 105 and 115 pellets in a 10" circle at a taped 40 yards.Although this is nowhere close to TC's shot on the choke tube thread it does seem to work. I generally pay between 8-12 dollars for 10,but I have a feeling it won't be that for long!

I normally recommend 3" Winchester HV shells with 1.75 oz. of #6 lead shot to most folks who ask. That's a very good shell, that's widely available and very reasonably priced. It's probably been responsible for more turkey kills since its introduction in 1996 than any other turkey load.

I recently spent a couple of hours with the Winchester engineer who designed that shell. He shared with me some of the challenges that were faced in its development. We discussed the relative merits of #6 shot which I prefer and #5 shot which is the largest seller.

When I hunt turkeys, I use whatever shell I've been shooting the most of before the season. They all work.

Thanks,
Clark

"If he's out of range, it just means that he has another day and so do you."

Some of the best loads I ever shot were the old Federal No. 4# 3"Magnum's made in the late 80's and early 90's ,then they started to use a cheaper buffering and performance fell off.
I still have some and use them spareingly when I use the 3" and by the way they were $9.00 a box of 25 shells.
BB's in the same shell was awsome on Geese in 2 3/4 or 3".

I agree with you on the winchester HV. that is as good as shell as you can find today.
They pattern great and have all the knockdown power you need wether it is 3" or 31/2".
Personally the only difference I see between the HV.and the EXT. RANGE is a tighter pattern
with ext. range and a little more penetration.
In my guns ext. will improve my patterns 2 to 3 inches.

I just figured the cost to shoot my 10 bore muzzle loader. At current prices about 40 cents a shot. Actual cost is lower but I figure on replacing the componets at some time. Caps and shot are the greatest cost. The 3" 20 gauge mags for my son are about 95 cents a pop.

in fall ive been shooting remmington 5 shot 2 3/4 extra longe range and have had good kill out 35 yards.....if im on big [;)]gooblers i like the hevi shot ....[:D]....any way when fall hunting its a waste to shoot the high dollar shells on young birds

Nice bird and dogs.I've always thought I'd like to try the turkey dog thing. I've had rabbit beagles squirrel dogs, and bear hounds.I know how much enjoyment dogs can bring to a hunt.Hunting turkeys with them would be over the top!